US 12,029,168 B2Granted

Bale severance mechanism for a continuous round baler

AssigneeMcHale Engineering

InventorKenneth R. Underhill

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A continuous round baler forms a cylindrically-shaped bale by spiral, coiled layers created by a conical portion of a bale-forming chamber and protruded upwardly from a cylindrical portion of the bale-forming chamber. The bale is circumferentially supported by netting applied to the bale in the cylindrical portion. A rotary feed table receives crop from the field and feeds the crop into the conical portion. The bale forming process can be interrupted if an insufficient volume of crop is collected on the rotary feed table. The netting material is provided on short rolls to facilitate loading onto the machine. A cutoff mechanism is coupled to the growth of the bale from the cylindrical portion to sever the bale at a predetermined length with end surfaces that are perpendicular to the axis of the bale. A bale density mechanism supports the distal end of the bale as the bale protrudes upwardly.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A round baler axially forming a cylinder of crop material protruding from said round baler into a rearward direction relative to a normal direction of travel of said round baler, comprising:

a frame adapted for movement across a field;
a crop collection mechanism supported from said frame to collect crop material from said field;
a conical bale forming chamber supported on said frame to receive said crop material collected by said crop collection mechanism to start forming said cylinder of crop material;
a cylindrical bale forming chamber oriented parallel to the normal direction of travel and supported on said frame in communication with said conical bale forming chamber to receive said cylinder of crop material from said conical bale forming chamber and protrude said cylinder of crop material rearwardly therefrom;
and
a bale severance mechanism supported from said frame rearwardly said cylindrical bale forming chamber to engage the circumference of said cylinder of crop material and sever a formed cylindrical bale therefrom for discharge from said round baler.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/792,717Filed 17 Feb 2020
Published: US 2021/0251146 A119 Aug 2021
Granted: 9 Jul 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A01F 15/0705
Rotobalers, i.e. machines for forming cylindrical bales by winding and pressing: arrangements for continuous operation
A01F 15/0883
Discharge devices: for round balers
A01F 15/0715
Wrapping devices: wrapping the bale in the press chamber before opening said chamber
A01F 2015/074
Wrapping devices: mechanisms for discharging a bale from the wrapping machine